Jon and Michelle are PREGNANT – The Baby is due in August!!!

I’m so excited to have another little Hayes coming – The more the better for me!

Here are the first pictures:

I got the real pictures today that were only teasingly presented to us earlier in the week by Peter Mahar.

Waiting for Her Train to Come In

Colorful and Dramatic - As usual!

"Speak Lord, for your servant heareth!"

"Hi Dad, I'm Home! Thanks for picking me up!"

"Im Just So Happy!"

Life is Good

Pews at the Train Station - Who Knew?

Peter Mahar took Grace’s graduation pictures.

Amy and I have been married 10 years!  What a joy she is, and is the greatest blessing in my life!

We always wanted to do something extra special for our 10th anniversary. We finally decided on a Cruise to the Bahamas, and chose to wait until November to avoid any possible hurricanes (Funny thing: There was a small hurricane the week before our cruise).  We got a great deal on then newest and largest ever Carnival ship, the Dream.

Carnival Dream

We flew to New York city on November 13th and spent two wonderful days together in Manhattan, then traveled to Cape Canaveral, Florida; then down to two island in the Bahamas and then back on November 23rd.

Amy in Central Park

Doug in Central Park

Together on Gold Rock Beach

Here is a link to Amy’s pictures

My Beautiful Bride

Happy Together!!!

Maybe someday I’ll get around to blogging some of the pictures I took.

Grandfather Hayes Baptizing Amara

The Sacrament Of Baptism

It’s a great privilege for me to baptized Amara this morning – My first grandbaby, daughter of my firstborn child, here with my parents. There are four generations of Hayes’ in this room, in addition to the almost innumerable families connected to the Shubins – and it reminds us of the faithfulness of God to His covenant promise to be our God and the God of our descendents. When God gave Abraham the sign of the covenant, circumcision, He said, (Gen. 17:7) “And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.” In Christ, we are the children of Abraham, and the new new Israel of God. When people asked on the day of Pentecost what they should do in response the Gospel preached to them, the Apostle Peter said to them, Acts 2:38-39 “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

The baptism of our children is a testimony that God our Father loves us so much that He brings our children into His family with us. They belong, with us who believe, to the membership of the church through the covenant made in Christ and confirmed to us by God in this sacrament which is a sign and seal of our cleansing, our engrafting into Christ and of our welcome into the household of God.  Our Lord Jesus said (Mk. 10:14-16) “Let the little children to come to Me and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of Heaven. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter therein.  And He took them up in His arms and put His hands upon them and blessed them.” The Apostle Paul also declared that the children of believers are to be numbered with the holy people of God.

In presenting your child for baptism do you confess your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord and do you promise, in dependence on the grace of God, to bring up your child in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?

Let us pray.

Most merciful and loving Father we thank You for the Church of Your dear Son, the ministry of Your Word, and the sacraments of grace.  We praise You that You have given us so great and gracious promises concerning our children and that in mercy You call them to Yourself, marking them with this sacrament as a singular token and pledge of Thy love.  We pray that what we now do on earth may be confirmed in heaven.  As in humble faith we present this child to You, we ask You to receive her, to indue her with Your Holy Spirit and to keep her ever as Your own, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

What is the Christian name of this child? Amara Zion Hayes

Amara – Means “Eternally Beautiful” – Zion, or course is the City of God

The Bible tells us that Zion is the beautiful city of God – the place where His people gather to Him in song, praise and worship – the place to which the nations come from all the nations to learn the Truth of God. Hebrews tells us that each Lord’s Day we come Mount Zion and the city of the Living God, the heavenly Jerusalem  – May the life and testimony of Amara Zion Hayes be a reflection of the beauty and glory of God in His Church.

Amara Zion Hayes, I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. And may the blessing of God the Father, and God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit descend upon you and rest upon you, now and forevermore.      Amen.

This child is now received into Christ’s kingdom, and do you, the people of this congregation, in receiving this child, promise with God’s help to be her sponsors to the end that she may confess Christ as Lord and Saviour and come at last into His eternal Kingdom.  If so answer, “Amen.” (Congregation responds ” Amen.”)   Jesus said “Whosoever shall receive one such little child in My Name, receives Me.”

Let us pray.

Almighty and everlasting God, who of Your infinite mercy and goodness has promised that You will not only be our God, but also the God and Father of our children, we humbly ask You for this child, that Your Spirit may be upon her and dwell in her forever. Take her, we entreat You unto Your fatherly care and protection.  Guide her and sanctify her, both in body and in soul. Grant her to grow in wisdom as in stature, in favor with God and men.  Abundantly enrich her with Your heavenly grace.  Bring her safely through the perils of childhood.  Deliver her from the temptations of youth and lead her to witness a good confession and to persevere therein to the end.  O God, our Father, give unto Your servants in whom You has committed this blessed trust the assurance of Your unfailing providence and care.  Guide them with Your counsel as they teach and train their children.  Help them to lead their household into an ever increasing knowledge of Christ and in a more steadfast obedience to His will.  We commend to Your fatherly care the children and families of this congregation.  Help us in our homes to honor You and by love to serve one another, and to Your name be all blessing and glory through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

Grandfather, David, Kathy and Amara

Heaven Scent

Smell her hair, rub your nose on her check
She is new and fresh
She is asleep and yet full of life
A gift given – and joy received
She is heaven scent

Like a sunny spring morning
With bird song and new blossom fragrance in the air
Hope and expectation everywhere abundant
God promises new life and joy in her cry
She is heaven scent

Too often our eyes are dimmed with concern
Too heavy our cares seem to be
Life sometimes has that musky smell of stale disappointment
And yet – In the peacefulness of her sleep – joy is remembered
She is heaven scent

Heaven is where the King rules
Heaven is where our love ascends
From heaven we look for all our prayers to be answered
From heaven we know that love always comes
She is the scent of heaven – A foretaste of joy’s aroma

I am pleased to announce that I have my first grandchild in arms today!

She was born today, September 23, 2009 at about 2PM.  She weighed in at 7 lb 9 oz, and is a cute 18 inches long.

Both mother and baby are healthy and happy – As a Grandfather and Grammy-Amy!!!

The Story (If you want you can listen to “We’re Marching To Zion” as you read on):

At our last family dinner night (usually every Thursday evening; Grammy-Amy has been giving special gifts to David & Kathy every week in anticipation of the previously unnamed and unborn treasure being carried by her mother) – We had the final celebration before the advent of our first grand-babe.

I normal get up for work about 5 AM each day.  Today was no different, except that Grammy-Amy had already been up for an hour.  Why? I asked her, rubbing my eyes with sleep clinging to them and with disbelief (if you know Amy you know why I say this).  Her answer:  “I couldn’t stay in bed any more.  I was too excited!”  She rode with David and Kathy to the labor and delivery building at Kaiser Permanente for the elective C-Section, arriving at about 6 AM to a bustling and crowded birthing center.

After about 2 hours they were told that because they have had so many more births and emergency C-sections than anticipated, Kathy would have to wait another 2 hours. And then another two hours. Finally, about the time poor starved and parched Kathy had come to the end of her ability to endure her deprivations and waiting (12:30 PM) – The doctor came in with a proposal to negotiate:  “Either you can wait your turn (10 more deliveries) and have me do the C-Section – OR – Allow another, very competent, well rested and fresh doctor just coming on shift do your C-Section next.”  Which is it?  Duh!!! Doctor Now!!!

She was wheeled into surgery at about 1:15 PM (with an enthusiastic doctor-wanna-be David at hand), and our dear grand-babe was born at about 2 PM.

At about 2:30 PM David marched out to the waiting area and proudly announced that she is born.  We all cheered and waited anxiously for him to finish, and then I finally asked, with impatient urgency, “What’s her name!”  David sheepishly responded, “We don’t really want to say until you see the baby and Kathy can be there.”  We all, supportively, assured him that we understood (although we were all feeling bitterly disappointed).

He threw us a bone though, and told us that he could say that she weighed 7 lb 9 oz, and was 28 inches long.  We had a good laugh at that – but he was absolutely sure that she is 28″ in length.  Bless his heart – New fathers are so fun!  He later repented of his error and confessed the truth, and we were faithful and just to forgive his ignorance and put it all behind us!

Baby's First Bath!

Finally, sometime after 4 PM David came out and led us to the promised land – a land where newborns are seen, held, kissed, smelled (I love that) and loved for the first by the rest of the family. Her Christian Name Is: Amara Zion Hayes.

Grandfather

The Proud and Heroic Mother - Kathy the Great!

What a marvelous name for a beautiful child. Of course grandfathers are generally ones that consider all of their children to be beautiful – In this case it is most certainly true, as attested by the witness of all who have seen her so far!

Grammy-Amy

Aunt Gracie

Uncle Adam

Daddy and Daughter

Amara Zion Hayes

Daddy is a real man! The First to Change Amara's diaper!

I could not be happier, prouder or more satisfied than to have such as son as David, married to such a woman as Kathy – Bearing this fine granddaughter – Amara Zion Hayes!

David and Kathy have been so excited to find out what gender our Grand-baby is.

Today is the day!

Mommy & Daddy Waiting

The technician, declared, “It’s a girl.”  What a happy moment for mommy and daddy!

A Beautiful Family Moment - Our Daughter

Aunt Grace smuggled in a camera with video capability – That’s my girl!

Mommy and Daddy get their first girl pictures

Is she right handed?

Cute little fingers

What a sweet face

Our Beloved Baby Girl!

Dad and I decided (with the encouragement of Amy and Chris Wilson) that it was time for us to get away for our first fishing trip of the year. We decided on Henry Hagg Lake. We had a typical Oregon spring day for it, rain with occasional sunshine – But we were dressed for the worst of it. We had a great time.

We arrived at about 7 AM

Dad and his boat!

We were in the water (the boat was in the water – we were in the boat) by about 7:30 AM

We caught some trout – But the real thrill was getting some really good sized bass. I caught 4 over 12 inches. Here is #1

More of #1

12"

Here is the second bass

12 Inches

The Third Bass

13 Inches

More of #3

Still more of #3 (can’t let the pictures go to waste – Gotta share!)

These babies are so much fun!

Sadly, dad didn’t get into any of these beauties this time – But he had a great attitude.

It’s so wonderful to have a godly father, and to continue to enjoy one another’s company as mature adults!

The Grand-daddy of the Dad – 14 Inches!

More of the 14 Incher

Happy to be a bass fisherman!

Thanks dad for coming out with me. It was a great time!

At his school, Veritas School, Adam had the opportunity to participate in a “Speech Meet” competition.  He recited the Saint Chrispian’s Day speech from Shakespeare’s Henry V.

He won the competition for the 7th and 8th Grade!

The winner!

Today he gets to do it again (not something Adam is looking forward to) – This time in front of 180 people!

Speech Meet - FIRST PLACE!

For those who do not know what this speech is, check out this poor imitation of the same speech Adam is doing:

Last Tuesday, David and Kathy came by the house to announce that I am going to be a Grandfather!!!  Kathy is about 5-6 weeks along and it is estimated that we will welcome a new Hayes into our family face-to-face in September or October.

Psalm 128

A Song of Ascents.

Blessed is every one who fears the Lord,

Who walks in His ways.
When you eat the labor of your hands,

You shall be happy,

and it shall be well with you.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine

In the very heart of your house,

Your children like olive plants

All around your table.

Behold, thus shall the man be blessed

Who fears the Lord.
The Lord bless you out of Zion,

And may you see the good of Jerusalem

All the days of your life.
Yes, may you see your children’s children.

Peace be upon Israel!

Two days later we celebrated the wonderful news together at our Thursday Family Dinner night.  We began with Psalm 128 – and I sat with children around my table – Eating and drinking joyful satisfaction in the grace and blessings of our Father.  What joy it is to see my children’s children!

Grandpa's Birth Announcement Present

Amy gave gifts to everyone that represent the job each of us will have in the baby’s life.  I got books.  Oh what joy, anticipating to wonderful hours of reading with the grand-babies.

Daddy's (David's) Present - Diapers

David got a hint from Grandma  – You need to be a diaper changer!

David responds wonderfully by opening the package to prepare himself

Aunt Grace and Uncle Adam agree, “They are so cute!”

Grandpa shows David how it is done

David trying on his own – He definitely needs more practice!

Daddy’s reaction as we discussed what he wants to do if it is a boy…

February 1st

David’s Big Announcement At Church

This is the big day!

The day he has anticipated and dreaded for months!

The day that will change him!

Make him even more manly that he already is!

Before Braces

The day he has become “Metal-Mouth” Hayes!

My daughter-in-law Kathy demonstrated for us how she makes Snow Angels.

I’m not sure if this is how she was taught to do it, or she just made it up herself.

I’m so glad she is part of our family!

The Approach

Getting A Run At It

The Fall

The Impact

Coming to Grips with the Cold

What have I done?

That Was Fun!

Let's Do It Again! (Just for the Record - She did this THREE times)